Rotary radial action washing machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a rotary washing machine which produces a radial flow washing action and includes a frame having a stationary tank mounted therein. A rotary inner basket is mounted within the stationary tank and is formed with a plurality of radially projecting passages for passage of washing fluid. Fluid directing means is interposed between the stationary tub and rotary inner basket for intercepting fluid propelled outwardly through such passages by centrifugal force to direct it back to the interior of the rotary tub for circulation back outwardly through the clothes and out through the passages to again be recirculated.

United States Patent 11 1 Cornelius June 26, 1973 [5 ROTARY-RADIAL ACTION WASHING 2,757,531 8/1956 Fox 68/24 MACHINE 2,760,639 8/1956 Haverstock 68/24 X [76] Inventor g fg gz x gg g gagz 7th Primary ExaminerWil1iam 1. Price Assistant Examiner-Philip R. Coe 1 Filedl p 30, 1970 Attorney-Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee & Utecht [21] Appl. No.: 76,880

[57] ABSTRACT US. Cl- F, The resent invention relates to a rotary washing ma- 68/148 210/144 210/363, 210/380 chine which produces a radial flow washing action and Illt- 2, 1 1306f 37/20 includes a frame having a stationary tank mounted [58] Field of Search 68/18 F, 148, 23.1, therein A rotary inner basket is mounted within the 23-3, 24; 210/144 363, 380 stationary tank and is formed with a plurality of radially projecting passages for passage of washing fluid. Fluid 1 1 References Cited directing means is interposed between the stationary UNITEDSTATES PATENTS tub and rotary inner basket for intercepting fluid pro- 3,026,701 3/1962 l-louser 68/23.3 Pelled outwardly through Such Passages y centrifugal 3,062,031 1 19 2 nk 3 23 X force to direct it back to the interior of the rotary tub 2,498,734 2/1950 Bozanich 68/ 148 for circulation back outwardly through the clothes and 3,066,521 12/1962 Gillessen 68/148 X out through the passages to again be recirculated. 3,466,901 9/1969 Reid 68/18 F 3,209,561 10/1965 Burdett 210/144 X 14 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JUNZB I975 SHEEI1B3 FIG.2

ROTARY-RADIAL ACTION WASHING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to washing machines for washing items such as clothes.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

It has generally been common practice to provide washing machines which include centrally located agitators to reciprocate about a vertical axis to produce an agitation effect or to provide a rotating basket for rotating about a generally horizontal axis to tumble the clothes being washed. Washing machines of these types suffer the shortcoming that there is only a relatively small volume of water passed through the clothes thereby failing to attain thorough and effective washing of the clothes. Applicant is unaware of any prior art washing machines which incorporate a rotary inner basket having a plurality of radially projecting passages in the walls thereof and fluid directing means for directing fluid passed out through such passages back to the interior of such basket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The washing machine of present invention is characterized by a fully rotary inner basket having radially projecting openings therein and including fluid directing means disposed exteriorially of such rotary inner basket for directing the fluid passed outwardly through such openings back into the interior of such rotary inner basket to thereby maintain continuous circulation of fluid outwardly through the clothes to effect thorough and rapid washing thereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary-radial action washing machine of the type described which produces continuous circulation of fluid through the clothes being washed at a relatively rapid rate to effect rapid washing thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary-radial action washing machine of the type described wherein the centrifugal force produced by rotation of the rotary inner basket is utilized to maintain a rapid rate of fluid circulation through the clothes being washed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotary-radial action washing machine of the type described which periodically redistributes the clothes in the rotary inner basket to cause the water serving as the washing fluid to be circulated therethrough in different directions.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a rotary-radial action washing machine of the type described which will automatically sense an unbalanced load in the rotary inner basket and effect redistribution of such load.

These and other objects and the advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary-radial action washing machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, in enlarged scale, of the rotary-radial action washing machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but further enlarged in scale;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a detail view, in enlarged scale, taken from the circle designated 5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of a second embodiment of the washing machine of present invention;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view, in reduced scale, taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a third embodiment of the rotary washing machine of present invention;

FIG. 10 is a detail view, in enlarges scale, taken from the circle designated 10 in FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams of the rotary-radial action washing machine shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematics of an electrical circuit which may be utilized with the washing machine shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The rotary-radial action washing machine of present invention includes, generally, a frame in the form of a cabinet 21 that mounts a stationary tub, or tank, 23 having a perforated rotary inner basket 25 disposed therein and cooperating therewith to form an annular upwardly extending flow path 26 leading to an upwardly opening inlet 28 formed in the basket 25. Still speaking generally, a stationary perforated liner 27 is interposed between the stationary tank 23 and rotary inner basket 25 and is secured to the stationary tub. A drive motor 31 is provided for driving the rotary inner basket 25 whereby items, such as clothing to be washed, may be placed in the rotary inner basket 25 and the stationary tub 23 filled partially with cleaning fluid, such as water. The motor 31 may then be energized to initiate rotation of the rotary inner basket 25 to thereby draw the fluid around the interior of the stationary tub 23 in a circular flow path to cause such fluid to be thrown generally outwardly by means of centrifugal force. The outwardly moving fluid will assume an angular path as shown by the directional arrows 35 in FIG. 5 to strike the perforated stationary liner 27 and then be directed more radially outwardly as depicted by the directional arrows 37. The radially outwardly moving fluid will then engage the wall of the stationary tub 23 and be turned upwardly and will then be directed radially inwardly by the in-turned upper portion of such stationary tub to fall downwardly in the central area of the rotary inner basket 25 to then be again thrown centrifugally outwardly through the clothes thereby resulting in a continuous high flow rate moving radially outwardly through such clothes to effect rapid and thorough washing thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the embodiment shown therein is a top loading type washing machine and the cabinet 21 is formed in its top wall with a clothesreceiving opening 39 having a hinged door 41 mounted thereby for closing thereof. The upper extremity of the stationary tub 23 is turned inwardly to form an inwardly curved upper shoulder 47 that terminates in a circular opening 51 disposed centrally over the rotary inner basket 25. Such opening 51 is connected with the opening 39 in the cabinet 21 by means of a convoluted flexible neck 53.

Formed in the inwardly turned shoulder 47 are a plurality of outlets 55 and mounted to the exterior of such shoulder is a ring-shaped outlet manifold 57 which overlies such outlets 55 and is connected with a flexible drain pipe 61 leading to the inlet of an air pump which forms an exhaust pump 63 (FIG. 11) for drawing suds from the tank 23.

The tank 23 is mounted on a conically shaped sleeve 67 which is mounted on a mounting platform 69 which is, in turn, balanced centrally on a pivot ball 71. The tank 23 is then centered within the cabinet 21 by means of a plurality of coil springs 73 (FIGS. 2 and 6). The liner 27 is of the same general configuration as the rotary inner basket 25 and includes a plurality of radially projecting openings 74 (FIG. for passage of water.

The rotary inner basket 25 is generally cylindrically shaped and includes a bottom wall 76 having a cylindrically shaped side wall rising generally axially upwardly therefrom and being angled slightly upwardly and outwardly to form a perforated slightly conical clothesretaining wall 78 against which clothes are retained when such basket is spun. The clothes-retaining wall 78 includes perforations 77 (FIG. 5) which are formed by radially outwardly dimpling to form the edges of such perforations 77 with generally rounded shoulders 79 to thereby avoid catching of buttons on clothing being washed therein and of the clothing itself to prevent damage and tearing thereof.

Referring to FIG. 2, secured to the interior of the vertical wall of the rotary inner basket 25 are radially inwardly projecting vertical lugs or fins 81 for carrying the clothes disposed in such rotary inner basket therearound as such basket is rotated and for accelerating the water in a circular direction. The rotary inner basket 25 is mounted on a mounting plate 83 which overlies the bottom wall of the tank 23 and is carried by a bearing assembly disposed in the conical sleeve 67. The mounting plate 83 is affixed to a downwardly extending drive shaft 85 that projects freely rotatable downwardly through the conical sleeve 67 and a bore through a driven pulley 87 which is connected with the drive pulley 89 of the drive motor 31 by means of a belt 91 which extends upwardly from such pulley and has its intermediate portion fed over a pair of pulleys 93 mounted from the motor 31 by means of a mounting bracket 95.

Mounted centrally on the mounting platform 69 is a gear reduction housing 97 which has its output shaft coupled with a clutch plate 99 that is selectively engageable with a clutch sleeve 101 interposed between such clutch plate and a clutch plate 103 affixed to the lower side of the driven pulley 87. The clutch sleeve 101 is keyed to the drive shaft 85 and is vertically shiftable thereon. Such sleeve is carried on the inner extremity of a lever arm 107 which is pivotally mounted from a mounting stand 111 and has its outer extremity pivotally connected with a drive link 113 that has its upper extremity connected with the armature of a low speed solenoid 115 and its lower extremity coupled with the armature of a high speed solenoid 117. The low speed solenoid 115 is carried from the mounting stand 111 by means of a mounting bracket 121 and the high speed solenoid 117 is carried from the mounting post 111 by means of a mounting bracket 123.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, a balance switch 125 is mounted adjacent the lower extremity of the stationary tank 23 by means of a mounting bracket 127 and has a radially inwardly projecting actuating arm 129 disposed a selected distance from the wall of such stationary tank whereby a predetermined amount of radial movement of such tank will cause it to engage and close such switch.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a flexible filling pipe 131 is connected with one side of the ring-shaped manifold 57 surrounding the upper portion of the stationary tank 23 and has a drain conduit 133 connected therewith, a check valve 135 being included in such drain conduit. The filling pipe 131 and drain conduit 133 are connected with a first port 137 of a four-way spool valve 139 by means of a conduit 141 including a lint filter 143. A second port 145 of the four-way valve 139 is connected with the inlet 147 to a water pump 149 by means of a conduit 151 and the outlet 153 of such pump is connected with a third port 155 of such fourway valve by means of a conduit 157. The fourth port 161 of the valve 139 is connected with a circulation port 163 in the bottom of the stationary tank 23 by means of a circulating conduit 165 including a valve 167. The port 161 is also connected with a drain 171 by means of a drain conduit 173. The spool of the fourway valve 139 is connected on one end with a circulation solenoid 175 and on its opposite end with a drain solenoid 177. The four-way valve 139 is of the type that when the spool is shifted to the drainage position it will remain in that position until drawn to its circulation position and vice versa.

Also connected with the inlet to the pump 149 is a hot water line 181 having a hot water valve 183 therein which is controlled by a hot water solenoid 185. Also connected with the inlet of the pump 147 is a cold water line 187 having a cold water valve 189 therein which is controlled by means of a cold water solenoid 191.

FIG. 13 shows an electrical circuit which may be utilized with the washing machine shown in FIG. 1 and such electrical circuit includes a control dial 201 having its axle shaft 203 mounting a hot water. cam 205, a cold water cam 207, a wash cam 209, high speed and low speed cams 211 and 2.13, a water circulation cam 215, drain cam 217 and water pump cam 219.

Referring to FIG. 13, a slow speed synchronous motor 229 is provided for driving the selector dial 201 and is connected in series with a pair of drop out switches 231 and 233 and a start switch 235 which is closed by means of the cover 41. An actuating arm 237 is provided with a central cam 239 that is engaged by a cam 241 on the control dial 201 to open one or the other of the stop switches 231 or 233 when the washing cycle is complete. This cam 241 is also effective to engage the actuating am 237 and open one or the other of such switches 231 or 233 whenever the dial 201 is depressed for setting the wash cycle thereby deenergizing the dial drive motor 229 during such setting.

Still referring to FIG. 13, a hot water control switch 243 is provided in series with the hot water solenoid valve and is engaged by a washing lug 245, rinsing lug 247 and flushing lug 249 included on the hot water cam 205. A selector dial 253 is provided for controlling the hot water cycle and includes a triangularly shaped electrically conductive contact plate 259 that is selectively engageable with a pair of hot water contacts 261 and 263 and a cold water contact 267. A temperature control switch 271 is connected in series with the hot water solenoid 185 and is controlled by a thermostatic blade 273 disposed in heat exchange relationship with the water contained in the stationary tank 23 whereby such switch will be opened if such water exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Connected in parallel with the hot water control dial 243 is a cold water control dial 281 that is controlled by a washing lug 283, rinsing lug 285 and a flush lug 287 formed on the cold water control cam 207. A cold water control switch 291 is connected in series with the cold water solenoid 191 and includes an electrically conductive triangularly shaped switch plate 293 that is selectively engageable with cold water contacts 295 and 296 and a hot water contact 297.

Connected in series with both the hot water switch 243 and cold water switch 281 is a water level control switch 301 that is controlled by a float 303 disposed in the stationary tank 23. A temperature limitswitch 304 is controlled by a thermostatic blade 306 disposed in heat exchange relationship with the water contained in the stationary tank 23 whereby such switch will be opened if such water exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Y The rotary inner basket control cam 209 includes a wash lug 307, rinse lug 309 and spin dry lug 311, which lugs sequentially engage a rotary inner basket control switch 313 connected in series with a control relay, generally designated 315, and reversing synchronous motor 317. The reversing drive motor 317 includes a drive shaft having first and second reversing cams 319 and 321 mounted thereon, the cams each including a pair of diametrically opposed cam lugs extending around one quarter of the respective cams, the pair of lugs for the cam lugs 321 being spaced axially from, but disposed between, the lugs of the cam 319.

The rotary inner basket control relay 315 includes a switch 325 which is connected in series with a pair of parallel connected reversing switches 327 and 329 controlled by the respective reversing cams 319 and 321.

The balance switch 125 is a two-positioned switch and includes a pair of contacts 335 connected in series with the reversing switch 327 and a pair of contacts 337 connected in series with the reversing switch 329. A control relay 341 is connected in series with both reversing switches 327 and. 329 and controls a double pole, double throw switch 343 that controls current to the starting coil 347 of the drive motor 31. Current to the field coil 349 of the drive motor 31 is controlled by a field coil de-energization cam 351 which controls a field coil switch 353. 9

Current to the shifting high and low speed solenoids 115 and 117 is controlled by a switch 355 included in the relay 315 and connected in series with such solenoids. Connected in series with the solenoids 315 and 317 are respective control switches 357 and 359 which are controlled by the respective shifting cams 213 and 21 1.

Current to the four-way valve shifting solenoids 175 and 177 is controlled by respective control switches 365 and 367 which are, in turn, controlled by the respective circulation and drain cams 215 and 217. The four-way valve solenoid 177 also controls a suds pump control switch 371 which controls current to the suds pump 63.

Still referring to FIG. 13, current to the motor 375 of the fluid circulation pump 149 is controlled by a pump switch 377 that is, in turn, controlled by the pump control cam 219.

In operation the lid 41 is opened and the clothes to be washed placed in the rotary inner basket 25. The lid 41 may then be closed to close the starting switch 235. The selector dial 201 may then be depressed to open one or the other of the dial drive motor switches 231 or 233 to discontinue current to the dial drive motor 229 and the dial 201 rotated clockwise to the wash cycle selected. Assuming that the dial 201 is rotated past the spin, flush, rinse and wash cycles, the respective hot and cold water control cams 205 and 207 will be rotated to the position shown in FIG. 13 and will commence rotating in a counterclockwise direction as the dial 201 unwinds.

Assuming that the hot and cold control dials 253 and 291 have been rotated to a position selecting a warm wash and a warm rinse as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the lug 245 of the hot water control cam 205 will engage the hot water control switch 243 and will complete a circuit through selector switches 255 and 293 to energize both hot and cold solenoids. Hot and cold water will then flow through the water pump 147 and through the four-way valve 139 to the manifold ring 57 thereby introducing warm water through the inlet 55, FIG. 2. It will be understood that since there is not water in the stationary tank 23, the float switch 301 will be closed until the water rises to a predetermined level, thereby shutting off both hot and cold water.

The low speed cam 215 and pump carn 219 will rotate into position to close the associated switches 365 and 377 to energize the four-way valve control solenoid 175 to shift the four-way valve 139 to the position shown in FIG. 11 and to concurrently energize the motor 375 of the fluid circulation pump 149 to thereby pump the hot water to the manifold ring 57 for introduction through the inlets 55 to the'tub 23. After approximately one-half the filling cycle, the cold water control cam 207 will be rotated into position with the washing lug 283 engaging the cold water control switch 281 to close such switch and energize the cold water valve control solenoid 191 to open the cold water valve 189 and initiate flow of cold water to the pump 149 concurrent with flow of hot water. The hot and cold "water switches 243 and 281 will then be maintained closed for a predetermined period of time and, if the amount of clothes loaded in the rotary tub 25 provides sufficient volume to cause the tub to be filled sufficiently to close the float valve 303 before the respective lugs 245 and 283 rotate out from under the respective control switches 243 and 281, the float switch 301 will drop open to de-energize the respective hot and 'cold water control solenoids and 191.

When the tank 23 is approximately half filled, the wash cam 307 of the rotary control. cam 209 will engage the rotary control switch 313 to energize the relay 315 thereby closing the reversing control switch 325 and the shift control switch 355. Closing of the control switch 313 also energizes the reversing control motor 317. Closure of the shifting control switch 355 provides current to the wash speed switch 359 and when the low speed control cam 211 rotates into position closing such switch 359, the low speed solenoid will be energized to thereby rotate the lever arm 107 to shift the clutch sleeve 101 (FIG. 2) down to couple the drive shaft 85 with the driven clutch 99 on the gear box 97. Assuming the reversing motor 317 starts from the position shown in FIG. 13, the lug of the cam 319 will first close the associated switch 327 but since the balance switch 125 is in the position shown, the relay 341 will remain unenergized. Consequently, the starting coil switch 343 will remain in the position shown and direct current in one direction through the starting coil 347. Consequently, when the field coil cam 351 closes the field coil switch 353 to energize the field coil 349 the motor 31 will rotate in one direction to rotate the driven clutch 87 in a first direction to initiate rotation of the rotary inner basket 25 at its wash speed.

When the drive motor 31 reaches a predetermined speed, the centrifugal switch 348 will drop open to thereby de-energize the starting coil 347 and permit such motor to continue being driven by the field coil 349.

As the rotary inner basket 25 rotates within the stationary tank 23, the clothes and water contained therein will be impelled outwardly in a radial direction. The clothes will be thrown outwardly against the vertically extending clothes-retaining wall 78 of the rotary inner basket 25 and held thereagainst and the fluid will be forced outwardly through the perforation 77 in the rotary inner basket 25, as shown in FIG. 5, and such angularly traveling fluid will be intercepted by the liner 27 and directed more or less directly radially outwardly through the perforations 75 and will be forced upwardly along the vertically extending walls of the stationary tank 23. Such upwardly traveling water will be turned back inwardly by the in-tumed shoulder 49 and will fall back downwardly centrally into'the interior of the rotary inner basket 25 and will then again be thrown centrifugally outwardly through the clothes pinned against such retaining wall thereby producing a continuous circulation of such fluid through the clothes. In working models, it has been determined that such fluid may be circulated through the clothes at a rate of approximately 60 gallons per minute. This continuous circulation at relatively high flow rates produces a much more effective washing action than that normally associated with agitation washers where the clothes are generally drawn through the water in an oscillating action.

After the motor 31 has rotated in one direction for a predetermined time, as for instance a fraction of a minute, the lug of the reversing cam 319 will rotate out from underneath the switch 327 and the lug of the reversing cam 321 will rotate into position beneath the reversing switch 329 to close such switch and energize the relay 341. Energization of the relay 341 will switch the reversing switch 343 to its broken line position thereby readying the circuitry to the starting coil 347 for flow of current through such coil in the reverse direction when the centrifugal switch 348 is again closed. When the field coil control cam 351 rotates one of its lugs into position beneath the field coil switch 353, such field coil will be de-energized and the motor 31 will coast until its speed is reduced sufficiently to enable the centrifugal switch 349 to close thereby initiating current flow through the starter coil 347 in the reverse direction to thereby brake such motor 31 and initiate rotation thereby in the reverse direction. A lug on the cam 351 will then rotate into position closing the field coil control switch 353 to re-energize the field coil 349 to continue rotation of the motor 31 after such motor has been brought up to speed and the centrifugal switch 349 is again opened. This reversing action of the drive motor 31 will repeat itself several times per minute throughout the washing cycle.

If upon initiation of the washing cycle the clothes in the rotary inner basket 25 are unevenly distributed and effect unbalance of such basket upon rotation thereof, the stationary tank 23 will oscillate on its balancing pivot 71 to thereby effect radial displacement of the lower portion of such tub against the bias of the centering springs 73. When such radial displacement exceeds a predetermined amount, the actuating arm 129 (FIG. 6) of the unbalance switch will be engaged to raise such balance switch off its contact 337 and to reengage such switch with the contacts 335 (FIG. 13) to thereby energize or de-energize the reversing relay 341, de pending on whether or not it was previously deenergized or energized, respectively. Assuming the relay 341 was de-energized, as shown in FIG. 13, when the switch 125 is switched to close the contacts 335, such relay 341 will be energized to switch the reversing switch 343 to the broken line position to thereby effect reversal of the drive motor 31. Consequently, the rotary inner basket 25 will have its direction of rotation reversed thereby causing the clothes to tumble inwardly in such basket and as the speed in the reverse direction picks up the clothes will be thrown centrifugally outwardly against the vertical walls of such rotary basket in a re-distributed arrangement. If the rotary basket 25 still remains unbalanced, the balance switch 125 will again be contacted to switch such switch back to the contacts 337 and switch the drive motor 31 back to its forward direction of rotation thereby again redistributing the clothes. This process will continue until the clothes assume an evenly distributed arrangement.

After the wash cycle has been completed, drainage of the stationary tank 23 will be initiated by energizing the drain solenoid 177 to shift the spool of the four-way valve 139 to the position shown in FIG. 12 and to close the suds pump valve 371 thereby actuating the suds pump 63 to pull any suds that have built up in the interior of the basket 25 outwardly through the openings 55 to the manifold ring 57 to deliver such suds to the manifold drain 171. The suds conduit outlet terminates below the bottom of the water outlet pipe 173 whereby the water flowing downwardly in the drain pipe 171 will create a venturi effect and assist in drawing such suds down the drain. With the four-way valve 139 shifted to the position shown in FIG. 12, the water will be pumped out the drain pipe 133 and through the filter 143 in the reverse direction to thereby draw the lint therefrom and dump it into the drain pipe 171.

After the drain cycle has been completed, the recirculation cam 215 will again close the recirculation valve 365 to energize the recirculation solenoid 175 and shift the four-way valve 139 to the position shown in FIG. 11 to thereby effect recirculation of any water introduced to the stationary tub 23. Concurrently, the rinse lug 247 of the cold water cam 205 will be rotated into engagement with the hot water switch 245 to energize the hot water solenoid and open the hot water valve 183 to again introduce hot water to the fluid pump 149. Subsequently, the rinse lug 285 of the cold water cam 207 will close the cold water switch 281 to energize the cold water solenoid 191 to thereby open the cold water valve 189 and introduce cold water.

When the tube 23 is approximately half filled, the rinse lug 309 of the reversing control cam 209 will engage the switch 313 to energize the relay 315 and close the drive actuation switch 325 and shifting switch 355. Concurrently, the spin speed cam 213 will close its associated switch 357 to energize the spin speed solenoid 117 and rotate the lever arm 107 (FIG. 2) counterclockwise to shift the clutch sleeve 105 upwardly to the position shown to drivingly engage the belted pulley 87 of the rotary basket 25 directly with the belted pulley 87 to effect high speed rotation of the rotary basket 25. Intermittent reversing of the drive motor 31 as described hereinabove will be effected.

Subsequently, the supply valves 183 and 189 will be closed and the solenoid 177 energized to initiate drainage of the tank 23. Thereafter, the solenoid 175 will again be energized to shift the four-way valve 129 to the position shown in FIG. 11 and the hot and cold water valves 183 and 189 opened as dictated by the flush lugs 249 and 287 of the respective hot and cold water cams 205 and 207. After the tank 23 has been filled and the tub 25 rotated for a predetermined period of time with the flush water contained therein, the fourway valve 139 will be shifted to its draining position shown in FIG. 12 to effect drainage of such tank 23 and spinning of the rotary inner basket at high speed will be continued to spin the moisture remaining in the clothes therefrom. It is noted that the direction of rotation of the inner basket 25 will be reversed several times per minute during the spinning cycle to fluff the clothes and effect rapid drying thereof. When the spinning cycle is completed, the dial 201 will be rotated to its off position by its drive motor 229 to cause the actuating level 237 to open one or the other of the switches 231 or 233 to discontinue current to the dial drive motor Referring to FIG. 13, it will be noted that the respective hot and cold water control dials 253 and 291 may be set in a number of different settings to produce hot, warm or cold water washes or rinsesas shown.

The washing machine shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 except that, rather than having a perforated liner between the rotary inner basket 25 and stationary tank 23, radially projecting fins 375 are affixed in the upper portion of the tank 23 and have an annular ring 377 secured therebelow whereby when the rotary inner basket 25 is rotated, the water contained in the tank 23 will be thrown outwardly by centrifugal force andwill be thrown upwardly along the vertically extending walls of such tank 23 and will move about the tank 23 in a somewhat circular pattern as dictated by rotation of the rotary inner basket 25. The fins 375 serve to intercept such water and direct it upwardly and inwardly over the ring 377 to be dumped downwardly into the central interior of the rotary inner basket 25.

The washing machine shown in FIG. 9 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 except that it is a front loading washing machine and includes a cabinet 381 having an opening 383 formed in the front thereof and covered by a door 385. A stationary tank 391 is mounted within the cabinet 381 and has a stationary perforated liner 393 mounted therein. The front wall of the tank 391 is formed with an in-turned annular shoulder 394 which turns rearwardly to direct water moving forwardly in such tank, inwardly to the interior of a rotary inner basket 397.

The rotary inner basket generally designated 397, is disposed within the liner 393 and is carried from a horizontally extending rotary shaft 399. The rotary basket 397 is formed with an axially projecting perforated cylindrical clothes-retaining wall 398 which turns inwardly at its front extremity to form an inlet 400. The shaft 399 includes a hollow spindle 405 which has a discharge nozzle head 407 mounted at the end thereof for spraying water throughout the interior of the rotary inner basket 397. A recirculation conduit 409 is connected with the hollow spindle 405 and has a pump (not shown) therein for circulating water from the lower portion of the stationary tank 391 to the spray nozzle 407 for increasing the circulation rate of such water. A plurality of radially projecting fins 415 is mounted on the rear side of the rotary inner basket 397 for throwing water radially outwardly as such basket rotates.

In operation, the washing machine shown in FIG. 9 operates similar to that for the basket shown in FIG. 1 except that as the basket 397 rotates, the water contained in the stationary tank 391 will be drawn therearound in a'circular pattern to be thrown outwardly through the clothes pinned against the cylindrical clothes-retaining wall 398 of the rotary inner basket and to be forced outwardly through the openings in such basket and to be intercepted by the perforated liner 393 and be directed forwardly by the walls of the stationary tank 391 to be turned radially inwardly by the in-turned shoulder 394 and returned to the central interior of the rotary inner basket 397. Additionally, the circulation pump (not shown) will recirculate a portion of the water through the hollow spindle 405 and through the spray head 407 to the interior of the rotary inner basket 397.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the rotary-radial action washing machine of present invention provides a highly effective means for thoroughly washing clothes and the like in a rapid and efficient manner without excessive wear or deterioration of such clothes.

Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A rotary-radial action washing machine comprising:

a frame;

stationary tub means mounted on said frame for receiving a predetermined amount of cleaning fluid; first mounting means for mounting said stationary tub means from said frame;

rotary inner basket means disposed in said stationary tub means for rotation at a selected speed and formed with an inlet and a washing chamber having a transverse cross-section that is substantially symmetrical about the rotary axis of said basket means and formed with an end wall having a washing item-retaining wall projecting therefrom and formed with through fluid circulation perforations for passage of said cleaning fluid, said retaining wall projecting at an angle with respect to said end wall which will cause said items to be retained thereagainst and submerged in said cleaning fluid when said basket is rotated at said selected speed;

in claim 1 wherein:

radially projecting fluid accelerating means mounted on said retaining wall;

second mounting means mounting said rotary inner basket on said frame for full continuous rotation with respect to said stationary tub means;

said tub and basket means cooperating to form a return fluid passage leading from the radially outward end of said perforations past the exterior of said basket means to said inlet;

fluid directing means in said return fluid passage for intercepting fluid after it exits said perforations and directing it toward said inlet;

drive means coupled with said rotary inner basket means to rotate said rotary inner basket means continuously in one direction for a predetermined period of time at said selected speed whereby said predetermined amount of cleaning fluid may be introduced in said tub means, said items to be washed placed therein, said drive means energized to rotate said rotary inner basket means at said selected speed to cause said items to be thrown centrifugally outwardly from said axis to be retained against said retaining wall and to cause said fluid accelerating means to accelerate said fluid to rotate with said basket means to be thrown centrifugally outwardly to flow through and around said items through said perforations and back through said return passage to be received by said fluid directing means and be directed back to said inlet for recirculation back through and around said items and through said perforations.

2. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said first mounting means includes suspension means for mounting said stationary tub means from said frame for radial movement relative thereto;

decelerating means coupled with said drive means for decelerating of said rotary inner basket; and

sensing means for sensing a predetermined amount of radial movement of said stationary tub means relative to said frame to actuate said decelerating means.

3. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth said fluid directing means includes a stationary liner mounted between said stationary tub means and said rotary inner basket means and surrounding said rotary inner basket means, said stationary liner tub being formed with perforations for receiving fluid pumped outwardly by the rotating inner basket, said openings accepting said fluids and directing said fluids toward the inlet of said rotating inner basket.

4. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

in claim 1 wherein:

said second mounting means mounts said rotary inner basket means for rotation about a horizontally extending axis; and

said rotary inner basket means includes a plurality of radially projecting fins on the back wall thereof for directing said cleaning fluid radially outwardly toward said stationary tub means.

6. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 that includes:

a suction pump;

a conduit for connecting the intake of said suction pump with said tank; and

control means for actuating said suction pump to actuate said pump to draw soap suds from said basket.

7. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 that includes:

reversing means connected with said drive means for intermittently reversing the direction of rotation of said basket to cause said items to tumble away from the walls of said basket and change the speed and direction of rotation of said basket relative to the speed and direction of rotation of said fluid to produce vigorously turbulent flow in said fluid to reposition said items in said basket.

8. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 that includes:

means coupled with said drive means for intermittently changing the speed of rotation of said basket to alter the relative speed of rotation between said fluid and items and said basket to re-distribute said items in said basket.

9. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 that includes:

forth in claim 1 wherein;

said fluid accelerating means include fin means extending in the direction of said axis and projecting substantially the full length of said inner basket.

11. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said fluid directing means includes radially extending fluid intercepting means mounted in said stationary tub means for intercepting fluid flowing circularly outwardly through said perforations and extending toward said inlet and bending radially inwardly to direct such fluid substantially radially inwardly toward said inlet.

12. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 that includes:

conduit means connected with the bottom of said stationary tub means and formed with return line means terminating in an inlet opening into said tank means;

filtering means in said conduit means;

pump means for circulating said fluid through said conduit means to filter said fluid.

forth in claim 1 wherein:

said second mounting means mounts said basket means for rotation about a horizontally extending axis and said machine includes: fluid directing means mounted from said stationary tank in confronting relationship with said inlet to project into said fluid return path to direct returning fluid into said inlet. 

1. A rotary-radial action washing machine comprising: a frame; stationary tub means mounted on said frame for receiving a predetermined amount of cleaning fluid; first mounting means for mounting said stationary tub means from said frame; rotary inner basket means disposed in said stationary tub means for rotation at a selected speed and formed with an inlet and a washing chamber having a transverse cross-section that is substantially symmetrical about the rotary axis of said basket means and formed with an end wall having a washing itemretaining wall projecting therefrom and formed with through fluid circulation perforations for passage of said cleaning fluid, said retaining wall projecting at an angle with respect to said end wall which will cause said items to be retained thereagainst and submerged in said cleaning fluid when said basket is rotated at said selected speed; radially projecting fluid accelerating means mounted on said retaining wall; second mounting means mounting said rotary inner basket on said frame for full continuous rotation with respect to said stationary tub means; said tub and basket means cooperating to form a return fluid passage leading from the radially outward end of said perforations past the exterior of said basket means to said inlet; fluid directing means in said return fluid passage for intercepting fluid after it exits said perforations and directing it toward said inlet; drive means coupled with said rotary inner basket means to rotate said rotary inner basket means continuously in onE direction for a predetermined period of time at said selected speed whereby said predetermined amount of cleaning fluid may be introduced in said tub means, said items to be washed placed therein, said drive means energized to rotate said rotary inner basket means at said selected speed to cause said items to be thrown centrifugally outwardly from said axis to be retained against said retaining wall and to cause said fluid accelerating means to accelerate said fluid to rotate with said basket means to be thrown centrifugally outwardly to flow through and around said items through said perforations and back through said return passage to be received by said fluid directing means and be directed back to said inlet for recirculation back through and around said items and through said perforations.
 2. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first mounting means includes suspension means for mounting said stationary tub means from said frame for radial movement relative thereto; decelerating means coupled with said drive means for decelerating of said rotary inner basket; and sensing means for sensing a predetermined amount of radial movement of said stationary tub means relative to said frame to actuate said decelerating means.
 3. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said fluid directing means includes a stationary liner mounted between said stationary tub means and said rotary inner basket means and surrounding said rotary inner basket means, said stationary liner tub being formed with perforations for receiving fluid pumped outwardly by the rotating inner basket, said openings accepting said fluids and directing said fluids toward the inlet of said rotating inner basket.
 4. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said second mounting means mounts said rotary inner basket means for rotation about a horizontally extending axis; and said machine includes recirculation conduit means leading from the lower portion of said stationary tank means to the upper portion thereof and terminating in a discharge, pump means in said conduit means for pumping said fluid from the lower portion of said stationary tank means to said discharge.
 5. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said second mounting means mounts said rotary inner basket means for rotation about a horizontally extending axis; and said rotary inner basket means includes a plurality of radially projecting fins on the back wall thereof for directing said cleaning fluid radially outwardly toward said stationary tub means.
 6. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 that includes: a suction pump; a conduit for connecting the intake of said suction pump with said tank; and control means for actuating said suction pump to actuate said pump to draw soap suds from said basket.
 7. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 that includes: reversing means connected with said drive means for intermittently reversing the direction of rotation of said basket to cause said items to tumble away from the walls of said basket and change the speed and direction of rotation of said basket relative to the speed and direction of rotation of said fluid to produce vigorously turbulent flow in said fluid to reposition said items in said basket.
 8. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 that includes: means coupled with said drive means for intermittently changing the speed of rotation of said basket to alter the relative speed of rotation between said fluid and items and said basket to re-distribute said items in said basket.
 9. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 that includes: conduit means connected with said tank and including valve means for draining fluid from said tank; drain control means for opening said valve means to drain said tank for a spin cycle; and means coupled with said driven means for intermittently changing the speed of said basket during said spin cycle to cause said items to tumble away from the wall of said basket to be redistributed and fluffed up.
 10. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein; said fluid accelerating means include fin means extending in the direction of said axis and projecting substantially the full length of said inner basket.
 11. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said fluid directing means includes radially extending fluid intercepting means mounted in said stationary tub means for intercepting fluid flowing circularly outwardly through said perforations and extending toward said inlet and bending radially inwardly to direct such fluid substantially radially inwardly toward said inlet.
 12. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 that includes: conduit means connected with the bottom of said stationary tub means and formed with return line means terminating in an inlet opening into said tank means; filtering means in said conduit means; pump means for circulating said fluid through said conduit means to filter said fluid.
 13. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein: said conduit means includes a fluid directing valve shiftable to a first position to direct said fluid in one direction through said filter to circulate said fluid therethrough and to a second position to drain said fluid from said tank means and to direct said fluid through said filter in a direction opposite said one direction to wash the lint therefrom.
 14. A rotary-radial action washing machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said second mounting means mounts said basket means for rotation about a horizontally extending axis and said machine includes: fluid directing means mounted from said stationary tank in confronting relationship with said inlet to project into said fluid return path to direct returning fluid into said inlet. 